The stars were out in force at the MGM but Floyd Mayweather simply stole the show, says Adam Smith.
Money proves he's the very best to leave the great and good in awe
I will cherish the memories forever. May Day, 2010, in Las Vegas. An incredible boxing night. An arrow back at those who say the sport is in trouble.
It doesn't look like it to me. Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Golden Boy, predicts huge American pay-per-view figures. Over $100million in revenue.
The turn-out was mind-blowing. A who's who of stars of stage and screen and music were scattered around us like confetti.
Leonardo Di Caprio, Michael J Fox, Jamie Foxx, Will Smith, Mark Wahlberg, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Magic Johnson, Paris Hilton, P Diddy, Chris Brown, Eva Longoria, and many more. All massive boxing fans.
I pinched myself when Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearns walked past me. We had better seats! Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya. Then 'The Greatest'; having Muhammad Ali ringside made the spectacular stage utterly complete.
Crowds were literally desperate for a way to get in; offering 10's of thousands of dollars to anyone who would part with a ringside seat. I wouldn't have given mine up for my house.
All week, there was an electricity building around the MGM Grand - THE fighting capital of Vegas and the world. It was awesome interviewing my hero Hearns and his wonderful dance partner Leonard.
Confident
Walking around the media room with Mexican legends Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales - all together. Two of our modern greats Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton had flown in especially.
Everywhere you looked there were top fighters. I saw Andre Berto, but couldn't get near him, same with Winky Wright, Zab Judah, Sergio Mora, Sergio Martinez. I literally bumped into Celestino Caballero and Juan Diaz.
It was the biggest turn-out of the fight fraternity I have ever seen. We enjoyed the exciting build-up when Sugar Shane was glowing, while Floyd was as supremely confident as ever.
At the packed weigh-in, Mosley stunned me with the shape he had driven himself into and then Mayweather got onto the scales. Unbelievable. Through his 14-year career, I can't remember Floyd in more pristine condition.
It was a tribute to the professionalism of these two outstanding athletes. Both of whom also undertook the long, thorough and random Olympic drug testing programme - which was terrific to see.
The tension was in the air on the Friday night when we all packed into MGM's Studio 54 for the final screening of HBO's 12-time Emmy-winning 24:7. As brilliant as ever. I went to bed early, but hardly slept - going through the fight over and over again.
Character
Saturday night was awesome. It kicked off with thrilling hors d'oeuvres like the sensational one-round dust up - when Said Ouali picked himself up off the canvas after just 20 seconds, to smash Hector Saldivia down twice in white hot action.
Daniel Ponce De Leon and Cornelius Lock literally locked horns for 10 rounds. Then Mexican teenage sensation Saul Alvarez showed us what the fuss was all about. He had to weather a torrid start when Jose Miguel Cotto had him rocking and reeling around the ring.
Ticked the heart and character box for me though, as Alvarez roared back at Cotto and utlised unusual and fast shots from his big arsenal. We'll be back to see him.
Then came the pre-fight tension with a delay to the marquee attraction. Shane Mosley's trainer Naazim Richardson had discovered the illegal wraps on the hands of Shane's previous foe Antonio Margarito, and insisted on watching the entire hand-wrapping process that the terrific Rafael Garcia does with Floyd. Always good to have a little added story on the night!
The atmosphere was extraordinary as Sugar Shane made his entrance - cheered to the rafters - and looking so ready to go.
Floyd fired back with his own mind games; waiting in his dressing-room until the right bit of music was played, and the fireworks that exploded on his arrival sounded like gun shots!
Criticism
Mayweather had a face of mean intentions and carried it throughout the fight. Yes, he is largely a safety-first boxer, but I think he's privately been stung by the criticism that he fails to engage and therefore excite.
This was different. Mayweather was out to make a statement, and boy did he do that. The early exchanges and rhythm were crucial. Mosley had been out for almost 16 months, so ring rust was a major concern, as were the 38-year-old's legs.
Mayweather was sharp and accurate and immediately showed the vital edge in speed. Yet the second round saw the biggest crisis of his virtually perfect career.
Mayweather was hurt. Badly. Somehow he didn't touch down. He said afterwards that Zab Judah and Demarcus Corley had hit him harder, but this was the first real sign that he wasn't totally impenetrable.
Mosley said the MGM stood for Mosley Greatest Moments - well that was his one moment. But Mayweather does have a good chin and weathered the storm. It was actually Mosley who looked worse at the end of the round - although he had taken the session.
Worryingly, Mosley looked tired. Early. He never really shook that off, burning up nervous energy and just didn't settle. But with that, he wasn't really allowed to.
Controlled
Mayweather controlled the centre of the ring; aggressively, menacingly, whipping out super shots from both hands quite exquisitely.
Mosley continued to show immense courage but he was being outclassed, and actually beaten up. It wasn't as clinically one-sided as Mayweather's fights with Arturo Gatti and Hatton, but it was close.
The feeling was that a stoppage might indeed come late. The likelihood was that the Mosley corner would make that decision. Jim Watt was angry that Miguel Cotto's team didn't pull him out of that sensational Manny Pacquiao performance, and he was quietly calling for Mosley's team to retire their man.
It wasn't as brutal a hammering as Cotto received, and in some ways Mayweather might have held back - largely for his own safety - from going for the kill.
I had thought Floyd on points all week, but Leonard Ellerbe, his manager, had told me that Floyd wanted the knockout. He certainly fought like he did for most of it, standing in the pocket and hardly going on his back-foot walkabout. Mosley was ever so brave and was still swinging in an exciting finale to an entertaining and absorbing spectacle.
It may not have been the classic some had hoped for, but fights rarely completely live up to the enormous hype. Sometimes humdingers like the epic first battle between Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo just creep up on us.
Classic
Still, it was a classic night and a classic experience. Mayweather moved masterfully to 41-0. Mosley must think very carefully. For me there is nothing more for the Californian to prove. He's been wonderful in and out of the ring. A smashing guy, but I don't think he should lace on the gloves again.
The continued doubters will still find something to complain about with Floyd Mayweather. The fact he was wobbled in the second round. Are his reflexes quite as good as they once were? That Shane was an old fighter and a shell of his former, dazzling self.
Come on. Our own Glenn McCrory picked Mosley to win. So did Juan Manuel Marquez. So did Winky Wright. So did David Haye. So did half of America.
Give Floyd Mayweather credit. Enjoy him while he's here. He's a boxing genius and in my eyes the greatest ring talent since Sugar Ray Leonard and Pernell Whitaker.
Let's hope the Pacquiao fight materialises. It will still be tough to make but with more millions now in the pot, it surely has to happen.
My colleague and friend Ian Darke and I disagree vehemently on the outcome. He's 100 per cent convinced Pacquiao wins. I am 100 per cent convinced that Mayweather does. That's the beauty this as a fight. It would probably be the biggest of all time.
Classy
For me Mayweather's too classy. Too clever, too good - and I love Manny Pacquiao, I really do.
Yes I know quick southpaws like Judah and Corley have had marginally more success against Mayweather than some others, but Pacquiao's defence is not watertight; and while his rapid bursts would set a ferocious pace, I think he'd be very vulnerable to Mayweather's counter punching brilliance.
Still, we'll see. The drug issues have to be resolved. Manny is wrapped up in politics. He's not as desperate for money as Mayweather and could be close to walking away. There's Bob Arum, the secretive Al Haymon and Richard Schaefer. Egos everywhere too, a minefield of issues.
Yet it's the fight every boxing fan and journalist craves. Let's just hope it can be made.
Floyd also keeps mentioning to me that he would love to fight here in Britain. After his amazing reception at the Peacock Gym last year, wouldn't that be some event?
In my opinion Floyd Mayweather is THE greatest of his generation. Come on, even the cynics and haters have to admire his genius! Like him, love him or loathe him... there really is 'only one Mayweather'.
